Denmark travel guide: Copenhagen, the coast and how to get around
Denmark is small, flat and easy to cross by train, with a capital of canals and design, chalk cliffs, long beaches and old market towns within a few hours of each other. It suits a city break with a day or two outside. The one thing to know is cost: prices are high, so plan meals and transport with care.
The short answer
- First trip
- Base yourself in Copenhagen for three or four days, then add a day trip to a castle, a chalk cliff coast or a fishing town.
- How long
- Four days covers Copenhagen and one trip out. A week lets you add Funen or Jutland by train.
- Best time to go
- May to September for long light evenings and beaches. December for Christmas markets and lights.
- Getting around
- Trains run between all the main towns and the capital. Cities are walkable, and bikes are the local way to get about.
- Money
- The Danish krone (kr). Cards are taken almost everywhere, including small cafes and kiosks, so you rarely need cash.
- Book ahead
- Popular restaurants, summer weekends at the coast and any museum with timed entry.
Best cities to visit in Denmark
Copenhagen
A compact waterside capital of canals, palaces, design shops and bicycles. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants a relaxed city with good food.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Beyond the cities
Møns Klint
White chalk cliffs above the Baltic on the island of Møn, with beech woods behind. It is easier with a car, but buses and trains reach it from Copenhagen in about two hours.
Roskilde
A Viking-ship museum and a cathedral that is a World Heritage site. Trains from Copenhagen take about half an hour, so it works as a half-day.
North Zealand's castles and coast
Frederiksborg Castle and Kronborg in Helsingør sit on a line of trains north of Copenhagen, with beaches along the way. Allow a full day for both.
Skagen and the north of Jutland
Sand dunes, painters' light and the point where two seas meet, at the northern tip. It is a long trip, so plan a night or two rather than a day.
Denmark itineraries
- Four days: Copenhagen and a castle
Spend three nights in Copenhagen on the harbor, the old center and a museum or two. On the fourth day take the train to Helsingør for Kronborg, or to Roskilde, and return the same evening.
- Seven days: Copenhagen, Funen and Jutland
Four nights in Copenhagen, then trains west over the Great Belt for a night on Funen and a night in Jutland. Trains are frequent and rooms are easiest to find if you book a few weeks ahead.
- Ten days: Zealand, coast and north
Four nights in Copenhagen, two on the coast near Møn or North Zealand, and a few days heading north through Jutland to Skagen. A hire car makes the coast simpler, but the main towns work by train.
Best time to visit Denmark
May to September is the main season. Days are long, outdoor tables are full and the sea is good for a swim in July and August. Summer weekends at the coast are busy, so book rooms early.
December is short and dark but atmospheric, with Christmas markets and candle-lit streets. Winter between January and March is quiet, cold and cheaper, and many seaside places close. Rain can come in any month, so pack a waterproof.
How to get around Denmark
- TrainsDSB runs the main network, with frequent services between Copenhagen and the larger towns. Buy tickets in the DSB app or at stations. Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted on most trains, and some long-distance services ask for a seat reservation.
- City transportCopenhagen has a metro, suburban trains and buses on one ticket system. The physical Rejsekort card is being replaced by the Rejsekort app and card payments, so check the current options on the DSB site when you arrive.
- Into SwedenTrains cross the Øresund bridge from Copenhagen to Malmö in about 35 minutes, every 20 minutes or so, which makes a day in Sweden easy.
- Cars and bikesA car helps on the coast and islands, but isn't needed for the cities. Cycle lanes are everywhere, and bikes can be hired by the day in most towns.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Denmark. Each city guide has its own list.
- Popular restaurants2 to 4 weeks ahead
Well-known places in Copenhagen fill up at weekends, and the best tables go first.
- Rooms at the coast in summer1 to 3 months ahead
Small towns have few beds, and July and August weekends sell out.
- Museums and attractions with timed entrya few days ahead
Booking online avoids queues in peak season.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe Danish krone (kr). Denmark is in the EU but not the euro area.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, and many places prefer them. Carry a little cash for emergencies, not for daily use.
- TippingService is included in bills, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up for good service is fine.
- Tourist taxesDenmark has no national tourist tax on hotel stays. Copenhagen has discussed one, so check whether your booking mentions it.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type K sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Denmark
- Renting a car for the capital
Parking is costly and the city is built for bikes, trains and walking. Hire a car only for the coast or islands, and only for the days you need it.
- Eating every meal in the busiest tourist streets
Prices are high and quality varies near the main sights. Walk a few streets away, or pick one big meal and keep the others simple.
- Cramming too much into one day
Distances look short, but trains and ferries add up. Choose one trip out from Copenhagen at a time and leave room to stop.
Denmark: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Denmark?
Four days is enough for Copenhagen and one trip out. A week lets you add Funen or Jutland, and ten days gives time for the coast and the far north.
What are the best places to visit in Denmark?
Copenhagen comes first. Beyond it, Roskilde, Kronborg and Frederiksborg castles, Møns Klint and the beaches of Jutland are the most popular choices.
Is Denmark expensive for tourists?
Yes. Restaurants, hotels and transport cost more than in much of Europe. Eating one main meal a day, using bikes and trains and booking rooms early helps.
What is the best time to visit Denmark?
May to September, for long days and beaches. December has Christmas markets, and winter is cheaper but dark and cold.
Is Denmark easy to get around without a car?
Yes. Trains connect the main towns with Copenhagen, and cities are walkable and bike-friendly. A car only helps on the coast and the islands.
Do you need cash in Denmark?
Rarely. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, so most visitors use cash very little, if at all.
Which currency does Denmark use?
The Danish krone (kr), not the euro. Cards work at most places and convert at the bank's rate, so a card without foreign fees saves money.